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A university is an institution of higher learning, or a school that is attended after the completion of high school or a graduation equivalency. University differs from Community College in the amount of time that is spent there. A typical university experience includes at least 4 years, the beginning of which are spent earning general education credits in a variety of topics. Once you declare your major or choose the subject that you intend to study, you will then spend most of your time focused on that one subject. Universities offer many of the same amenities as community college, with the big difference being that students can opt to live on-campus at a university, immersing themselves in college life. Universities also offer options for graduate training in certain fields. Earning an advanced degree increases your odds of getting a higher paying job.
High level of study with professors who are experts in their fields
Opportunity to live on campus and experience belonging to a new, small, community.
Options for extended learning beyond a 4 year degree
Increased networking ability
It depends. Some universities have strict requirements for acceptance. They look at things like grade point average, SAT/ACT scores (although many schools are moving away from this requirement), and courses taken in high school. The best way to know what is necessary to be accepted to a university is to look at their admissions website. Often you will find information about the qualifications for automatic acceptance and the minimum qualifications for consideration. When in doubt, call the admissions office at the school you are interested in! They are happy to help.
A four-year degree is typically called a Bachelor's Degree. You can earn a BA or a Bachelor of Arts or a BS, Bachelor of Science, depending on the program of study. When you attend for a graduate degree, you can earn a Masters degree or a Doctorate, again, depending on the program of study. Many students start with a Bachelors degree and then choose to go back to pursue an advanced degree once they have settled into a career.
It can be. All of the university websites give a breakdown of what the cost of attendance looks like for their institution. Financial aid can help many students, by providing grant money (money that does not need to be repaid) or loan money (money that is repaid once school is complete) depending on the financial status of the student or student's family. Applying for the FAFSA is necessary to be eligible for either type of aid. Scholarships are also a great source of funding to offset the cost of attending a university and there are many websites dedicated to helping students find scholarship monies.
No! You can attend a university at any age! The process for applying as a non-traditional student can be different than that of a recent high school graduate, so be sure to read the admissions website for you school of choice.